‘Elephant’s Graveyard’
Feb. 21-March 2, Thu.-Sat. 7:30 p.m. The year is 1918 and it’s been a long time since the tiny town of Erwin, Tenn., has seen a circus parade; the townspeople are ready. Enter Sparks World Famous Shows with a special attraction: the largest living land animal on Earth. [usual]Suspects, Nordlof Center, 118 N. Main St., Rockford. Info: rockfordpubliclibrary.org.

‘My Fair Lady’
Feb. 21-April 7, see website for times. The Cinderella story of Eliza Doolittle, a bedraggled, cockney flower girl transformed into an elegant lady by the brilliant and irascible Professor Higgins, who teaches her the proper way to speak and behave. Fireside Theatre, 1131 Janesville Ave., Fort Atkinson, Wis., (800) 477-9505, firesidetheatre.com.

Beloit International Film Festival
Feb. 22-March 3. See website for schedule and ticket information. Scores of shorts, documentaries and feature films are presented in unique venues throughout the Beloit area. Tickets/Info: (608) 312-4256, beloitfilmfest.org.

‘Run for Your Wife’
Feb. 22-March 10, Fri. 8 p.m., Sat. 2 & 8 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. In this British farce, a taxi driver with two wives in different areas of the city has to work overtime to keep his double life from blowing up. Pec Playhouse Theatre, 314 Main St., Pecatonica, Ill., (815) 239-1210, pecplayhouse.org.

‘The Wizard of Oz’
Feb. 28, 7:30 p.m. A Kansas twister transports Dorothy to the Land of Oz, where she and her friends – the cowardly lion, a tin man and a scarecrow – must defend against the Wicked Witch. Coronado Performing Arts Center (Coronado PAC), 314 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 968-0595, coronadopac.org.

Sofi & the Baladis
March 2, 7 p.m. The five-member ensemble shares musical traditions that lie at the heart of Israel’s diverse and historic cultures. Singer Sofi Tsedaka recounts the story of her Samaritan family and their search for balance as they navigate the pathway between their Jewish and Arab identities. Arts Midwest World Fest, Woodlawn Arts Academy, Sterling High School, 1608 4th Ave., Sterling, Ill., (815) 626-4278, woodlawnartsacademy.com.

‘Rise Up, O Men’
March 3, 3 p.m. The Church Basement Ladies are back. As the church prepares for participation in the town’s 1964 centennial celebration, the comings and goings are seen through the eyes of the menfolk, who have their own problems to solve. Young Auditorium, UW-Whitewater, Whitewater, Wis., (262) 472-2222, uww.edu.

Gaelic Storm
March 3, 7 p.m. The group continues into its third decade, pleasing Celtic, country, bluegrass and rock fans with their storytelling and passion for their music. Their new album, “Go Climb A Tree,” mixes traditional Irish music with modern influences. Egyptian Theatre, 135 N. 2nd St., DeKalb, Ill., (815) 758-1215, egyptiantheatre.org.

‘The Little Mermaid’
March 7-10, Thu.-Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sat.-Sun. 2 p.m. The beautiful young mermaid Ariel longs to leave her ocean home to live in the world above with Prince Eric, bargaining with the evil sea witch, Ursula, to trade her tail for legs. But all is not as it seems in this bargain. Stage Coach Players, Egyptian Theatre, DeKalb, Ill., (815) 758-1215, egyptiantheatre.org.

AE: ‘Silent Sky’
March 7-17, Thu.-Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sat. 4 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. Henrietta packs her bags for an exciting new job as a “human computer” at Harvard Observatory. She soon discovers that her role there is limited, but her mind is not. The inspiring story of Henrietta Swan Leavitt, a woman who, quite literally, changed the way we see the universe. Artists’ Ensemble (AE), Cheek Theatre, Rockford University, 5050 E. State St., Rockford, artistsensemble.org.

RSO: Behind the Mask and More
March 9, 7:30 p.m. Broadway’s iconic hits, such as “Phantom of the Opera,” “Cats,” “Evita,” “Wicked,” “Jersey Boys” and more, performed by RSO with vocals by Broadway stars. Coronado PAC, Rockford, (815) 965-0049, rockfordsymphony.com.

Leah Zahn
March 11, 5:30 p.m. Lifelong Rockford resident and violinist Leah Zahn teaches and performs in the northern Illinois area; she is concertmaster of the Rock Valley College and Community Orchestra. MPAC, Emerson House, 420 N. Main St., (815) 964-9713, mendelssohnpac.org.

‘The Winter’s Tale’
March 12, 7:30 p.m. Shakespeare’s play is a roller-coaster ride from romance to tragedy to comedy. The troupe blends Renaissance-era stagecraft with modern sensibility. American Shakespeare Center, Young Auditorium, UW-Whitewater, Whitewater, Wis., (262) 472-2222, uww.edu.

‘The Comedy of Errors’
March 13, 7:30 p.m. Long-separated twins, tricky servants, a jealous wife and her lovelorn sister are a few of the characters who are steeped in this story filled with mistaken identities and slapstick humor. American Shakespeare Center, Young Auditorium, UW-Whitewater, Whitewater, Wis., (262) 472-2222, uww.edu.

‘Cinderella’
March 15-17, Fri.-Sat. 7 p.m., Sat.-Sun. 2 p.m. An evil stepmother, jealous stepsisters, a palace ball, the prince and a fairy godmother; all the elements of the classic story come together as the audience roots for Cinderella to keep an eye on the time and return before the magic ends at midnight. Meet Cinderella on stage after the show for photographs in the pumpkin coach. Beth Fowler Dance Company, Egyptian Theatre, DeKalb, Ill., (815) 758-1215, egyptiantheatre.org.

‘A Night at the Theater’
March 15-17, Fri.-Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. In this comedy, two couples are at a performance of “Hamlet.” Instead of watching the play, however, they incessantly chatter about themselves, their children and friends, inadvertently revealing secrets and threatening friendships. Mighty Richland Players, 203 W. High St., Orangeville, Ill., (815) 819-1310, mightyrichlandplayers.org.

Trinadora’s Celtic Frolic
March 16, doors open 6 p.m., concert 7-9 p.m. In this first of the season’s Concerts on the Creek, Jannie Nelson and Ron Holm sing and play keyboard, guitar, ocarina, harmonica and jazz, with music ranging from country to jazz. Pizza and snacks available. Spring Creek United Church of Christ, 4500 Spring Creek Road, Rockford, (815) 877-2576, springcreekucc.org.

Lake Geneva Symphony: Beethoven’s 9th
March 16, 7:30 p.m. The nine-year journey that has seen one Beethoven symphony performed each season since 2010-2011 culminates with a performance of the composer’s massive final symphony, complete with chorus and soloists. Lake Geneva Symphony Orchestra, Young Auditorium, UW-Whitewater, Whitewater, Wis., (262) 472-2222, uww.edu.

Open Mic & Poetry Slam
March 19, & April 16, 6-8 p.m. All acts are welcome during the first half of the show, including music, comedy and dance; in the second half, poets perform their original works during the slam competition. Nordlof Center, 118 N. Main St., Rockford. Info: rockfordpubliclibrary.org.

Grant Maloy Smith
March 22, 7 p.m. An American Roots singer-songwriter with a country bent, Smith tells heartfelt stories about real people who are optimistic and forward-looking. Listening Room, Rockford, (815) 965-8903, rockfordlisteningroom.com.

Mayumana
March 22, 7:30 p.m. Inspired by the historical battle between Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla, two Israeli music and dance troupes use sound, lights and visual effects to portray different viewpoints of the essence of light and electricity. Young Auditorium, UW-Whitewater, Whitewater, Wis., (262) 472-2222, uww.edu.

[usual]Suspects Reads…Clue
March 23, 6-10 p.m. The theater company tackles the screenplay for the 1985 film “Clue” as seven guests, a butler and a maid are invited to a dinner party and find themselves involved in a series of murders. Nordlof Center, Rockford. Info: rockfordpubliclibrary.org.

Paula Cole
March 23, 7:30 p.m. The voice behind Peter Gabriel’s Secret World Live and This Fire, Cole performs from the anthology of her original work, created over some 20 years. JPAC, Janesville, (608) 758-0297, janesvillepac.org.

Red Hot Chilli Pipers
March 29, 8 p.m. With their signature “bagrock,” this 9-piece ensemble, consisting of pipers, guitarists, keyboardists and drummers, entertains with a fusion of rock anthems and the great tunes from the glens and the mountains of Scotland. Egyptian Theatre, DeKalb, Ill., (815) 758-1215, egyptiantheatre.org.

‘The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane’
April 5-13, Fri.-Sat. 7:30 p.m.; April 13, 2 p.m. Rynn Jacobs, a 13-year-old English girl, lives down a lonely lane with a father whom no one ever sees. What is her secret? Everyone who knows is dead. Winneshiek Players Theatre, 28 W. Clark St., Freeport, (815) 232-7023, winneshiekplayers.org.

Country Royalty
April 6, 7:30 p.m. Award-winning artists perform more than 20 top hits made famous by Hank Williams and Patsy Cline. Young Auditorium, UW-Whitewater, Whitewater, Wis., (262) 472- 2222, uww.edu.

Whitewater Symphony Orchestra
April 10, 7:30 p.m. Featuring a variety of works from the classical period to modern day, with student concerto soloists as well as music faculty. Young Auditorium, UW-Whitewater, Whitewater, Wis., (262) 472- 2222, uww.edu.

‘Menopause the Musical’
April 11-May 26, see website for times. Set in a store’s lingerie department, this musical parody is set to classic tunes from the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s; four shoppers sing about chocolate cravings, hot flashes and loss of memory. Fireside, Fort Atkinson, Wis., (800) 477-9505, firesidetheatre.com.

David Kalhouse
April 12, 7:30 p.m. Known for his elegant musicianship, pianist Kalhouse has a repertoire spanning three centuries, with the music of Scarlatti and Bach, Beethoven and Chopin, and Legeti and Feldman. MPAC, Mendelssohn Hall, Rockford, (815) 964-9713, mendelssohnpac.org.

Spring ArtScene
April 12-13, Fri. 5-9 p.m., Sat. 4-9 p.m. Galleries and studios all over Rockford host new exhibits of original works. Fun for the browser and the buyer. See website for locations. Info: Rockford Area Arts Council, (815) 963-6765, springartscene.com.

‘The Magic School Bus: Lost in Space’
April 13, 3 p.m. When Mrs. Frizzle’s class field trip is ruined by the planetarium closure, the Magic School Bus blasts off into outer space to explore the solar system. Young Auditorium, UW-Whitewater, Whitewater, Wis., (262) 472- 2222, uww.edu.

Iliza: Elder Millennial Tour
April 18, 7 p.m. The comedian performs stand up, sporting styles in classic looks from the late ’90s and early 2000s, and featuring an official Spotify playlist with her favorite songs of the era. Coronado PAC, Rockford, (815) 968-0595, coronadopac.org.

‘The Dixie Swim Club’
April 19, 7:30 p.m. In this comedy, five Southern women meet every August at the same beach cottage on North Carolina’s Outer Banks to renew the friendships that began many years ago on their college swim team. JPAC, Janesville, (608) 758-0297, janesvillepac.org.

Scott McCreery
April 19, 8 p.m. The country musician entertains with hits such as “Five More Minutes,” and “See you Tonight,” as well as songs from his latest album, “Seasons Change.” Egyptian Theatre, DeKalb, Ill., (815) 758-1215, egyptiantheatre.org.

Love Me Tender
April 24-25, see website for times. Travis Morris brings all stages of the King’s career to the stage with songs such as “Suspicious Minds” and “That’s Alright Mama.” White Pines, Mt. Morris, Ill., (815) 946-3817, whitepinesinn.com.

‘The Wizard of Oz’
April 25-28, Thu.-Sat. 7 p.m., Sat.-Sun. 2 p.m. Dorothy travels from Kansas over the rainbow with her friends – the Scarecrow, the Lion and the Tin Man – to discover the magical power of home. Children’s Community Theatre, Egyptian Theatre, DeKalb, Ill., (815) 758-1215, egyptiantheatre.org.

‘All Shook Up’
April 25-28, Thu.-Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. It’s 1955 when a guitar-playing young man rides into a “square” little town in a “square” little state and changes everything and everyone he meets. Featuring the songs of Elvis Presley. Maddox Theatre, Rockford University, Rockford, (815) 226-4100, rockford.edu.

‘Sylvia’
April 25-28 & May 2-4, Thu.-Sun. 7:30 p.m., Sat. 3 p.m. In this comedy, Manhanttanite Greg returns from the park with a dog named Sylvia and is happy to have an escape from his job frustrations and the unknowns of middle age; as Sylvia moves into her husband’s heart, Kate is not so thrilled. Beloit Civic Theatre, Elizabeth Reinholz Theatre, Beloit Memorial High School, 1225 4th St., Beloit, (608) 362-1595, beloitcivictheatre.org.

‘Mamma Mia!’
April 26-May 12, Fri.-Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. On the eve of her wedding, a daughter’s quest to discover the identity of her father brings three men from her mother’s past to the Greek island they last visited 20 years ago. Filled with ABBA’s hits, such as “Dancing Queen” and “Lay All Your Love on Me.” Pec Playhouse Theatre, 314 Main St., Pecatonica, Ill., (815) 239-1210, pecplayhouse.org.

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